Effect of Planting Density and Fertilizer Application on Fiber Yield of Ramie (Boehmeria nivea)

There is an urgent need to develop resilient agroecosystems capable of helping smallholder farmers adapt to climate change, particularly drought. In East Africa, diversification of maize-based cropping systems by intercropping with grain and tree legumes may foster productivity and resilience to adverse weather conditions. We tested whether intercropping enhances drought resistance and crop and whole-system yields by imposing drought in monocultures and additive intercrops along a crop diversity gradient—sole maize (Zea mays), sole pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), maize-pigeonpea, maize-gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium, a woody perennial), and maize-pigeonpea-gliricidia—with and without fertilizer application. We developed and tested a novel low-cost, above-canopy rainout shelter design for drought experiments made with locally-sourced materials that successfully reduced soil moisture without creating sizeable artifacts for the crop microenvironment. Drought reduced maize grain yield under fertilized conditions in some cropping systems but did not impact pigeonpea grain yield. Whole-system grain yield and theoretical caloric and protein yields in two intercropping systems, maize-pigeonpea and maize-gliricidia, were similar to the standard sole maize system. Maize-pigeonepea performed most strongly compared to other systems in terms of protein yield. Maize-pigeonpea was the only intercrop that consistently required less land than its corresponding monocultures to produce the same yield (Land Equivalent Ratio >1), particularly under drought. Despite intercropping systems having greater planting density than sole maize and theoretically greater competition for water, they were not more prone to yield loss with drought. Our results show that maize-pigeonpea intercropping provides opportunities to produce the same food on less land under drought and non-drought conditions, without compromising drought resistance of low-input smallholder maize systems.

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Agronomic comparison of Minnesota-adapted dwarf oat with semi-dwarf, intermediate, and tall oat lines adapted to northern growing conditions

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps96-125 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 76 (4) ◽

pp. 727-734 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Pirjo Mäkelä ◽

Leena Väärälä ◽

Pirjo Peltonen-Sainio

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Nitrogen Fertilizer ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

The Other ◽

Planting Density ◽

Yield Potential ◽

Yield Reduction ◽

Seeding Rate ◽

Main Shoot ◽

Growing Conditions

Development of a dwarf oat (Avena sativa L.) for northern growing conditions may further improve many important agronomic features of the oat crop including lodging resistance, yield stability, yield potential, grain-straw ratio, and fertile tillering. Our objective in this study was to assess the performance of a Minnesota-adapted dwarf line at high latitudes, through measurement of several traits that characterize duration of pre- and post-anthesis growth and plant stand structure, with special reference to tiller growth and tiller productivity. Response of the dwarf line to seeding rate (250, 500, and 750 viable seeds m−2) and nitrogen fertilizer application rates (80, 120, and 160 kg N ha−1) was compared with that of a semi-dwarf line, a conventional height cultivar, and a landrace cultivar, all of which are adapted to long-day conditions. The experiments were conducted in Finland (60°13′N) in 1993 and 1994. The dwarf line produced less grain (≤ 30%) than the other lines but out-yielded the lodging-sensitive landrace in 1994 at a high seeding rate and high rate of nitrogen fertilizer application. As for the semi-dwarf line and conventional height line, the dwarf line produced the highest grain yield at 500 seeds m−2 which is the standard planting density for oat in Finland. The particularly short duration of the generative phase and associated low number of grains per main shoot panicle are likely to be principal contributors to low mean panicle-filling rate, panicle weight, and grain yield of the dwarf line. However it was better able to tiller and produce head-bearing tillers than the other lines. This increased number of tillers was, however, unable to compensate for yield reduction resulting from low yield potential of the main shoot. Key words:Avena sativa L., oat (dwarf), grain yield, landrace, partitioning, straw length, yield components

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The effect of new continuous harvest technology of ramie (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud.) on fiber yield and quality

Industrial Crops and Products ◽

10.1016/j.indcrop.2012.09.003 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 44 ◽

pp. 677-683 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Li-jun Liu ◽

Cheng-ying Lao ◽

Na Zhang ◽

He-quan Chen ◽

Gang Deng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Boehmeria Nivea ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

Fiber Yield

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Optimizing sowing density-based management decisions with different nitrogen rates on smallholder maize farms in Northern Nigeria

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s001447972000037x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (6) ◽

pp. 866-883

Author(s):

Adnan Aminu Adnan ◽

Jan Diels ◽

Jibrin Mohammed Jibrin ◽

Alpha Yaya Kamara ◽

Abdulwahab Saliu Shaibu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Management ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Planting Density ◽

Economic Returns ◽

Yield Data ◽

N Fertilizers ◽

Scenario Analyses ◽

Maize Varieties

AbstractIn this study, the CERES-Maize model was calibrated and evaluated using data from 60 farmers’ fields across Sudan (SS) and Northern Guinea (NGS) Savannas of Nigeria in 2016 and 2017 rainy seasons. The trials consisted of 10 maize varieties sown at three different sowing densities (2.6, 5.3, and 6.6 plants m−2) across farmers’ field with contrasting agronomic and nutrient management histories. Model predictions in both years and locations were close to observed data for both calibration and evaluation exercises as evidenced by low normalized root mean square error (RMSE) (≤15%), high modified d-index (> 0.6), and high model efficiency (>0.45) values for the phenology, growth, and yield data across all varieties and agro-ecologies. In both years and locations and for both calibration and evaluation exercises, very good agreements were found between observed and model-simulated grain yields, number of days to physiological maturity, above-ground biomass, and harvest index. Two separate scenario analyses were conducted using the long-term (26 years) weather records for Bunkure (representing the SS) and Zaria (representing the NGS). The early and extra-early varieties were used in the SS while the intermediate and late varieties were used in the NGS. The result of the scenario analyses showed that early and extra-early varieties grown in the SS responds to increased sowing density up to 8.8 plants m−2 when the recommended rate of N fertilizers (90 kg N ha−1) was applied. In the NGS, yield responses were observed up to a density of 6.6 plants m−2 with the application of 120 kg N ha−1 for the intermediate and late varieties. The highest mean monetary returns to land (US$1336.1 ha−1) were simulated for scenarios with 8.8 plants m−2 and 90 kg N ha−1, while the highest return to labor (US$957.7 ha−1) was simulated for scenarios with 6.6 plants m−2 and 90 Kg N ha−1 in the SS. In the NGS, monetary return per hectare was highest with a planting density of 6.6 plants m−2 with the application of 120 kg N, while the return to labor was highest for sowing density of 5.3 plants m−2 at the same N fertilizer application rates. The results of the long-term simulations predicted increases in yield and economic returns to land and labor by increasing sowing densities in the maize belts of Nigeria without applying N fertilizers above the recommended rates.

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Effects of Different Chemical Fertilizers Application Rates and Densities on the Whole Growth Period of Sorghum in Semi-Arid Areas of North China

Revista de Chimie ◽

10.37358/rc.20.6.8213 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 71 (6) ◽

pp. 473-481

Author(s):

Jinpeng Wei ◽

Wenjing Shao ◽

Kejun Yang ◽

Changjiang Zhao ◽

Xinyu Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Period ◽

Northern China ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

Application Rate ◽

Planting Density ◽

Arid Areas ◽

Chemical Fertilizers ◽

Composite Effect ◽

Fertilizer Application Rate ◽

Semi Arid

Sorghum is one of the most important economic crops in the semi-arid areas of northern China. However, its yield is still relatively low, and some factors, such as the amount of different chemical fertilizers application and planting density, limit the increase of yield. In order to study the effect of fertilizer application rate and planting density on the growth and yield of sorghum, Longza 16 was used as test variety material, and the experiment was conducted with the split plot design. The fertilizer application (375kg/hm2(N:P:K=1:0.7:0.4), 375kg/hm2(N:P:K=1:0.7:0.8), 375kg/hm2 (N:P:K=1:0.7:1.6), 750kg/hm2（N:P:K=1:0.7:0.8), 750kg/hm2（N:P:K=1:0.7:1.6)) was designed as main plot and planting density (96000 plants/hm2, 109000 plants/hm2, 128000 plants/hm2, 154000 plants/hm2）was arranged as subplot. The photosynthetic parameters and yield-related characters were determined during the whole growth period of sorghum. The results showed that the effect of fertilizer application on the yield of sorghum was significant. The yield increased with the increase of fertilizer application, and the yield of 750kg/hm2 (N:P:K=1:0.7:1.6) was significantly higher than that of other treatments. Different planting densities also had a significant effect on the yield, showing that the yield increased with the increase of density, and the yield was the highest under the density of 154000 plants/hm2. In addition, the result of composite effect of fertilizer application rate and density showed that the yield of the treatment of 750kg/hm2 (N:P:K=1:0.7:1.6) and 154000 plants/hm2 was the highest, which was considered to be more suitable for the production of sorghum in the semi-arid areas of northern China.

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Removal of nutrients from the soil by pine plantations of different initial density and development of recommendations for fertilizer application

Известия СПбЛТА ◽

10.21266/2079-4304.2020.232.6-19 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

А.В. Лебедев ◽

В.В. Гостев

Keyword(s):

Mineral Nutrition ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Chemical Elements ◽

Net Primary Production ◽

Initial Density ◽

Average Diameter ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

Planting Density ◽

Average Height ◽

System Of Fertilizers

Сокращение оборота рубки, переход к комплексному использованию древесины и порубочных остатков приводят к увеличению хозяйственного выноса почвенных элементов питания растений и могут представлять угрозу для продуктивности лесных участков в долгосрочной перспективе. Для повышения и оптимизации почвенного плодородия, увеличения продуктивности древостоев, повышения качества продукции, получаемой из древесины, в лесном хозяйстве применяются системы удобрений. Целью исследования являлось выявление динамики накопления элементов минерального питания в лесных культурах сосны различной начальной густоты посадки и разработка рекомендаций по повышению продуктивности древостоев посредством применения системы удобрений на основании данных хозяйственного выноса. Для вычисления фитомассы произведен расчет величины фитомассы древостоев с применением уравнений зависимости от среднего диаметра и средней высоты с поправкой на число деревьев. Показатели чистой первичной продукции древостоев сосны обыкновенной рассчитывались через уравнения зависимости от возраста и наличной фитомассы. С применением конверсионных коэффициентов определено содержание элементов минерального питания в различных фракциях сосновых древостоев. Особое внимание уделено поиску соотношения между потреблением питательных элементов древостоями различной густоты. Расчет потерь элементов минерального питания с заготавливаемой древесиной при различных сценариях лесосечных работ позволил установить, что при комплексном использовании порубочных остатков хозяйственный вынос элементов питания будет наибольшим. Запроектированная система удобрений позволит компенсировать потери элементов минерального питания с заготавливаемой древесиной, увеличит почвенную обеспеченность химическими элементами и положительно скажется на повышении древесной продуктивности удобряемых лесных культур. A reduction in the turnover of logging and the transition to integrated use of wood and felling residues lead to an increase in the economic removal of soil elements of plant nutrition and may pose a threat to the productivity of forest areas in the long term. To improve and optimize soil fertility, increase the productivity of stands, and improve the quality of products obtained from wood, forestry uses fertilizer systems. The purpose of the study was to identify the dynamics of accumulation of mineral nutrition elements in pine forest crops of different initial planting density and develop recommendations for increasing the productivity of stands by applying a system of fertilizers based on the data of economic removal. To calculate the phytomass, the value of the phytomass of stands was calculated using the equations of dependence on the average diameter and average height, adjusted for the number of trees. Indicators of net primary production of stands of common pine were calculated using equations depending on age and available phytomass. Using conversion coefficients, the content of mineral nutrition elements in various fractions of pine stands was determined. Special attention is paid to the search for a correlation between the consumption of nutrient elements by stands of different densities. The calculation of losses of elements of mineral nutrition with harvested wood under various scenarios of logging operations allowed us to establish that with the combined use of felling residues, the economic removal of elements of nutrition will be the greatest. The system of fertilizers will compensate for the loss of mineral nutrition elements with harvested wood, increase the soil supply with chemical elements and have a positive impact on increasing the wood productivity of fertilized forest plantations.

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